Vigilance traps two govt officials while taking bribe in Banka and Purnia

Patna: The Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) on Monday arrested two govt officials in separate trap cases, taking the total number of such cases this year to 60 in Banka and Purnia districts.

In the first case, assistant electrical engineer Vijendra Kumar, posted as SDO with South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited at Rajaun in Banka, was caught red-handed while accepting a Rs 20,000 bribe at his office.

According to the VIB, complainant Manoj Kumar Yadav of Dhoria, Banka, alleged that the SDO had demanded money to “manage” a penalty imposed on his grocery shop for not having a commercial electricity connection. After verification, a trap team led by DSP Satyendra Ram was constituted on May 27, and the accused was caught accepting the bribe. He will be produced before the Special Vigilance Court, Bhagalpur, after questioning.

In the second case, revenue staff Rupak Kumar of Belarikaganj Halka in K Nagar Circle of Purnia district was arrested while accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe in the circle office record room.

The VIB said complainant Umesh Kumar Mahto of Uday Nagar alleged that the official had sought money to process mutation of his residential land. Following verification, a team led by DSP Rajendra Prasad conducted the trap and caught him red-handed. He will also be produced before the Special Vigilance Court, Bhagalpur.